A man buried in Armenia in the Middle Bronze Age era

RISE416
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
RISE416
Date:
1616 BCE - 1443 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
K1a17
Y-DNA:
E-L795
Cultural Period:
Middle Bronze Age Armenia
Location
Country:
Armenia
Locality:
Nerquin Getashen
Coordinates:
40.1400, 45.2600
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Middle Bronze Age in Armenia, spanning from around 2000 to 1500 BCE, marks a significant period in the cultural and social development of ancient Near Eastern civilizations. This era in Armenian history reflects a tapestry of influences and innovations in technology, politics, art, and society. The land, characterized by its rugged mountainous terrain and strategic position bridging the East and West, played a crucial role in shaping its history and intercultural exchanges.

Geography and Environment

Armenia's geographic features, including the Armenian Highlands, fertile valleys, rivers, and significant peaks like Mount Ararat, provided a wealth of natural resources. This facilitated both agriculture and animal husbandry, and offered strategic advantages for trade and defense. The region's position served as a crossroads between the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Caucasus, influencing cultural exchanges and interactions.

Society and Culture

Social Structure

The Middle Bronze Age saw the emergence of distinct social strata in Armenian society. Settlements often comprised fortified towns and villages, hinting at organized socio-political structures and possibly early forms of centralized authority. Communities were led by chieftains or local kings, whose power likely derived from control over land, livestock, and trade routes. The social hierarchy also included a class of skilled artisans, merchants, and farmers.

Language and Writing

During this era, the peoples of Armenia likely spoke languages related to Hurro-Urartian or early Indo-European, though concrete linguistic evidence is sparse. Writing systems from neighboring cultures, such as cuneiform from Mesopotamia, might have influenced the administration and record-keeping, although direct evidence of local writing from this time is minimal.

Religion and Spirituality

Polytheistic beliefs dominated, with deities associated with natural forces and phenomena, reflecting a deep connection to their environment. Temples and shrines were likely important community centers for religious activities, though much of this evidence comes from later periods influenced by earlier traditions.

Economy and Technology

Agriculture and Trade

The economy during the Middle Bronze Age relied heavily on agriculture, with cultivation of wheat, barley, and grapes. The domestication of animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle also played a vital role, providing resources like wool, meat, and dairy products. Armenia's position facilitated trade of raw materials like metals (copper and tin), which were critical for Bronze Age metallurgy.

Technological Advances

Significant technological advances during this period included the development and refinement of bronze metallurgy. The ability to create stronger and more durable tools, weapons, and ornamentation marked a progressive leap from earlier ages. Innovations in pottery and textile production, along with improved infrastructure for irrigation and farming, supported growing communities.

Art and Architecture

Artistic Expression

The Middle Bronze Age in Armenia saw advancements in various forms of artistic expression. Pottery from this era often features elaborate designs with geometric patterns and motifs that reflect cultural and trade exchanges with surrounding regions. Metalwork, especially in bronze, included finely crafted tools, weapons, jewelry, and ritual objects.

Architecture

Armenian settlements during the Middle Bronze Age often included fortified structures, indicative of the need for defense and the centralized organizational skills of their builders. Architectural remnants suggest the construction of complex stone buildings and public spaces, including early prototypes of religious and community centers.

Interregional Connections

Influences and Interactions

Armenia's position facilitated cultural and commercial exchanges with neighboring regions such as Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and later the Hurrian and Hittite civilizations. These interactions brought new ideas, technologies, and artistic styles into Armenian society. Evidence of artifact exchange and shared motifs in art and architecture highlight Armenia's role as a cultural bridge.

Conclusion

The Middle Bronze Age in Armenia reflects a period of dynamic change influenced by internal developments and external interactions. With advancements in social organization, technology, and cultural expression, it laid significant groundwork for future civilizations in the region. The cultural richness and strategic importance of ancient Armenia during this era contributed to the broader tapestry of the ancient Near Eastern world.

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RISE479 Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
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I4124 2459 BCE Augsburg, Germany View
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I4143 2456 BCE Landau an der Isar, Germany View
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RISE373 1887 BCE Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary View
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RISE386 2335 BCE Bulanovo, Russia View
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RISE416 1616 BCE Nerquin Getashen, Armenia View
RISE423 1407 BCE Nerquin Getashen, Armenia View
RISE431 2286 BCE Leki Male, Poland View
RISE434 2880 BCE Tiefbrunn, Germany View
RISE435 2865 BCE Tiefbrunn, Germany View
RISE436 2869 BCE Tiefbrunn, Germany View
RISE446 2662 BCE Bergrheinfeld, Germany View
RISE471 1687 BCE Untermeitingen, Germany View
RISE479 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE480 1700 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE483 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE484 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE486 2136 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
RISE487 3485 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
RISE489 2909 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
RISE493 1518 BCE Sabinka 2, Russia View
RISE495 1400 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE496 1416 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE497 1400 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE499 1400 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
RISE500 1700 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE502 1497 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
RISE503 1731 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE504 709 CE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE505 1862 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE510 2848 BCE Bateni, Russia View
RISE511 2909 BCE Bateni, Russia View
RISE512 1488 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE523 1531 BCE Kapova cave, Russia View
RISE524 1300 BCE Kapova cave, Russia View
RISE525 1300 BCE Kapova cave, Russia View
RISE546 3300 BCE Temrta IV, Russia View
RISE547 2886 BCE Temrta IV, Russia View
RISE548 3300 BCE Temrta IV, Russia View
RISE550 3335 BCE Peshany V, Russia View
RISE552 2846 BCE Ulan V, Russia View
RISE553 927 BCE Afontova Gora, Russia View
RISE554 1009 BCE Afontova Gora, Russia View
RISE555 2853 BCE Stalingrad Quarry, Russia View
RISE595 1200 BCE Velika Gruda, Montenegro View
RISE598 906 BCE Turlojiske, Lithuania View
RISE600 1000 BCE Verh-Uimon, Russia View
RISE601 1000 BCE Verh-Uimon, Russia View
RISE602 1000 BCE Sary-Bel, Russia View
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RISE559 Bell Beaker Culture, Lech Valley, Germany 2459 BCE Augsburg (Bavaria), Germany View
RISE562 Bell Beaker Culture, Germany 2456 BCE Dingolfing-Landau (Bavaria, Landau an der Isar), Germany View
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RISE564 Bell Beaker Culture, Germany 2500 BCE Osterhofen-Altenmarkt (Lower Bavaria, Deggendorf, Osterhofen), Germany View
RISE566 Bell Beaker culture 2282 BCE Kněževes (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia View
RISE567 Bell Beaker culture 2800 BCE Kněževes (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia View
RISE568 Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia 600 CE Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District), Czechia View
RISE569 Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia 660 CE Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District), Czechia View
RISE577 Early Bronze Age Únětice Culture 2500 BCE Velké-Přílepy (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia View
RISE586 Únětice culture 2800 BCE Moravská-Nová-Ves (South Moravian Region, Břeclav District), Czechia View
RISE596 Montenegrin Iron Age 800 BCE Velika Gruda, Montenegro View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
I1656 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1502 BCE Katnaghbiur 1, Armenia View
I14813 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 2127 BCE Tavshut, Armenia View
I17183 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1398 BCE Keti, Armenia View
I19340 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1420 BCE Karashamb Cemetery, Armenia View
I16120 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1500 BCE Dzori Gekh Archaeological complex, Armenia View
RISE423 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1407 BCE Nerquin Getashen, Armenia View
RISE416 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1616 BCE Nerquin Getashen, Armenia View
RISE413 Middle Bronze Age Armenia 1919 BCE Nerquin Getashen, Armenia View
I19340 1420 BCE Karashamb Cemetery, Armenia View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE416) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Neolithic Farmers 63%
European Hunter-Gatherers 29%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 8%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE416) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.

These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.

Asia 64%
Northern West Asian 43%
Caucasian 19.8%
Anatolian 13.0%
Mesopotamian 10.2%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 21%
Indian 20.8%
Europe 36%
Southern European 36%
Italian 29.7%
Balkan 6.0%
Africa 1%
Northern East African 1%
Ethiopian 0.6%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE416 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE416,0.09834992,0.09719154,-0.02889094,-0.0113602,-0.03105318,0.00184252,0.00974704,-0.0058235,-0.04385396,-0.0230663,-0.00254322,0.00741048,-0.01211302,-0.0042128,0.00812262,0.00101712,0.00342772,0.00183766,-0.00038852,-0.00115546,0.00160844,0.0016458,0.00695162,0.0068094,0.00030597
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Population genomics of Bronze Age Eurasia
Authors:
Allentoft ME, Sikora M, Sjögren KG
Abstract:

The Bronze Age of Eurasia (around 3000-1000 BC) was a period of major cultural changes. However, there is debate about whether these changes resulted from the circulation of ideas or from human migrations, potentially also facilitating the spread of languages and certain phenotypic traits. We investigated this by using new, improved methods to sequence low-coverage genomes from 101 ancient humans from across Eurasia. We show that the Bronze Age was a highly dynamic period involving large-scale population migrations and replacements, responsible for shaping major parts of present-day demographic structure in both Europe and Asia. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesized spread of Indo-European languages during the Early Bronze Age. We also demonstrate that light skin pigmentation in Europeans was already present at high frequency in the Bronze Age, but not lactose tolerance, indicating a more recent onset of positive selection on lactose tolerance than previously thought.

Link:
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